What is Organic Cotton?

Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. "Working with, not against," nature is the principle behind organic farming. Grown without pesticides and spun without chemicals, organic farmers rely on organic fertilizers, manual crop rotation and integrated pest management. Fields are naturally fertilized, pest-eating insects are used to naturally control crop damage, and weeds are removed with hoes and tractors, as well as manually.

Third-party certification organizations verify that organic producers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production. Farms earn the organic label by using soil that has been free of synthetic pesticides for at least three consecutive years.

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) has been developed for producing 'clean' fabrics and clothing with organic cotton and other organic grown fibers. This worldwide standard provides in the use of environmentally friendly chemicals, and water treatment at the fabrics. Clothing and fabrics with this certificate have to exist of minimal 70 procent of organic fibers.